EFFECT OF SOWING AND HARVESTING TIME ON THE YIELD AND SUGAR RECOVERY OF SUGAR BEET UNDER D. I. KHAN CONDITION

Abstract

To ascertain the optimum time of planting and harvesting under D.I. Khan conditions, studies were conducted at the Research Farm of Al Moiz Industries, D.I. Khan. The three years studies, starting from 2008-09 to 2010-2011, included five planting dates (1 st October, 15th October, 1st November, 15th November and 1st December) and five harvesting dates (1 st April, 15th April, 1st May, 15th May and 1st June). The experiment was laid out in split plot design, placing sowing dates in main plot while harvesting dates as sub plots superimposed on main plots; all randomly distributed in four replications. The data indicate that October planting with May harvesting gave significantly the highest yields around 85 – 90 tha-1 with sugar recoveries of 11,50 – 11.80%’. Compared to October, Sowing the crop on 1st Nov, 15th Nov. and 1st Dec. gave a yield reduction of 10.43%, 25.27% and 39.25%, respectively. Sowing the crop on 1st Nov, 15th Nov. and 1st Dec. gave a yield reduction of 10.43%, 25.27% and 39.25%, respectively. On the other hand harvesting on 1st April and 15th April reduced yield by 36.74% and 25-00%, respectively, while harvesting the crop on 1st June also dropped the yield by 5.50%. Compared to the month of May, harvesting on 1st April and 15th April reduced sugar recovery by 14.81% and 9.94%. To promote better yields and recoveries longer growth period should be preferred with a condition to avoid sowing beyond October and harvesting beyond May.